2019 Volkswagen Atlas Complaint Log

FIRST TIME I HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK WAS @215 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER ADAPTER. JUST ROLLED OVER 30K, AND HAVE HAD 2 OTHER TOCA REPLACED SINCE THEN. CALLED VW TO ASK ABOUT LEMON LAW, WAS DECLINED. MY CAR HAS BEEN ALL HIGHWAY MILES, NEVER ONCE OFF-ROAD.

COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW. THEY SAID IS A LEAK ON IT WHICH IS GOING INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS A MAJOR MAJOR ISSUE FOR THIS BRAND AND EXPENSIVE CAR. MY CAR HAD ONLY 8400 MILES ON IT. ONE YEAR OLD. THIS IS ON UNACCEPTABLE, FOR SO MUCH MONEY I PAYED. AND SO MUCH FOR 'GERMAN ENGINEERING' PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS NOT THE FIRST VEHICLE COMPLAING LOOK AT THE FB PAGE VW ATLAS COMPLAINS.

I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW ATLAS IN OCTOBER. WE DECIDED ON ATLAS DUE TO THE GREAT SAFETY RATINGS. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, THE ATLAS WAS IN THE SHOP FOR O2 SENSOR #1. THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROAD. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT WAS IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF STEERING RACK. THE EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES STARTED WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROAD. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THE SECOND O2 SENSOR REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROAD. NOW I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN ON MONDAY BECAUSE THE REMOTE START THAT I USE EVERY MORNING STOPPED WORKING TUESDAY. AS OF TODAY, IT HASN'T EVEN HIT 3,000 MILES.

THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS COME ON 2X WHEN MY SEAT BELT HAS BEEN ON. THE SOUND WILL STOP AFTER SEVERAL MILES BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR THE WHOLE TRIP. IT HAPPENED THE 1ST TIME IN ROUGHLY SEPTEMBER & THEN NOVEMBER 9TH

WE BOUGHT THIS NEW VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 8, 2019. AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR PROTRUDED FROM THIS VEHICLE INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND WHEN TURNED OFF. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING PAINT OR AN ENGINE BURNING SMELL. IT WAS NAUSEATING AND MADE MY SIX YEAR OLD SON VERY SICK. THIS WAS OUR PRIMARY AND MOST IMPORTANT, VITAL CONCERN AND WORRY.

ONE WEEK AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, IT BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE DURING THE FOLLOWING SCENARIOS: ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED / TAKING OFF FROM A STOP / AFTER VEHICLE TURNED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND ON FIRST ATTEMPT. VEHICLE HAS AGAIN BEEN DROPPED OFF AT DEALER AS GRINDING NOISE CONTINUES AND GETS LOUDER AT TIMES. HAVE SEARCHED IN DIFFERENT FORUMS AND SOME STATE THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING PROPERLY PROGRAMMED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 2ND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. INSTEAD IT SKIPS 2ND GEAR (NOT A PROFESSIONAL OPINION AS I AM JUST QUOTING WHAT I'VE READ). SOME HAVE STATED IT COULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. STILL NO SOLUTION. YOU HEAR WOSSHING SOUND WHEN YOU START SLOW ACCELERATION FROM ALMOST STOP, NOT COMPLETELY STOP, LIKE 5MPH. IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE ISSUE IS THAT VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR, STAYS IN 3RD WHEN IT'S AROUND 5MPH. THIS LOAD IS CAUSING TORQUE CONVERTER AND PUMP TO WORK HARDER TO GET VEHICLE ROLLING. I BELIEVE IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE SINCE IT ONLY HAPPENS IN 3RD GEAR AROUND 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. FOR ME, I HEAR IT THE MOST WHEN I AM ACCELERATING AFTER COMING TO A 'STOP'. ONCE I HEAR THE NOISE, I FLIP THE CAR INTO MANUAL MODE AND IT IS ALWAYS IN 3RD GEAR. ALTHOUGH YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALMOST STOPPED, THE CAR IS STILL IN 3RD GEAR. DO THE SAME 'STOP' WHILE IN MANUAL MODE AND DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND, AND THERE ISN'T A NOISE. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP TRIED OTHER NEW ATLAS' ON THE LOT AND FOUND SAME ISSUES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. HONESTLY, MY NOISE SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND LOUDER EACH DAY WHEN MOVING AND UNDER A LOAD AT LOWER RPMS THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS GRINDING. HAVE BROUGHT THIS IN TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR VW ATLAS VEHICLES. *TR

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE FALSE(UNPROMPTED) ACTIVATION- CONDITIONS-4 LANE ROAD WITH CENTER TURN LANE, WEATHER DRY, DAYLIGHT, TRAFFIC MODERATE. DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 30 MPH STEADY SPEED WITH NO CARS AHEAD IN CLOSE PROXIMITY THE CAR DETECTED AN OBSTACLE AND ENTERED AUTONOMOUS BRAKING ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND I SCANNED ALL DIRECTIONS FOR A POTENTIAL HAZARD. THERE WERE CARS IN THE CENTER TURN LANE BUT NONE ENTERING OR EXITING FROM EITHER DIRECTION OR EVEN MAKING SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS THAT THE SENSORS COULD HAVE INTERPRETED AS A IMPENDING COLLISION THREAT. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE CLOSE BEHIND US THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT FOR OUR ATLAS OUR FRIENDS ATLAS HAS HAD MULTIPLE SIMILAR EVENTS THAT THEY HAVE TRIED TO RECREATE THE SCENARIO WITH NO SUCCESS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY FAULTS WITH THEIR CAR. WE HAVE YET TO BRING OUR ATLAS IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS.

AT DELIVERY (4400 MILES) AS THIS WAS A PROGRAM CAR, THE STEERING COLUMN CREEKS, POPS, AND CRACKLES WITH AT TIMES PRODUCES A LOW PITCH HIGH FREQUENCY MOAN/GROWN. THIS IS MOST NOTABLE AT LOW SPEEDS FOR THE CRACKLING NOISE, THE MOANING SOUND IS EVIDENT AT 60 MPH OR SO. I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT TO DEALERSHIP. STEERING FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR, BUT THE NOISES CREATED SAFETY CONCERN. THE SALESMAN CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS A OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE

THE REMOTE START DOES NOT WORK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT STARTED AROUND 1500KM AND WENT AWAY AFTER AWHILE. NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND THE REMOTE START STOP WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING KNOWING THE CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 5000KM.

THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE ANYTIME YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL. IT HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEED AND WHEN STOPPED. JUST TURN WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT, BY COUPLE OF DEGREES AND YOU WILL HEAR IT.

WHILE DRIVING 35MPH,NO ONE IN EITHER DIRECTION, FLAT STREET SURFACE,BRAKING SYSTEM WENT ON WITH THE ALERT ON DASH AND NOISE.IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES WHERE THE CARS BRAKING SYSTEM TURNS ON, BRAKES WHILE ACCELERATING, AND THEN IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE FROM THE INTERSECTION, HOPING NOT TO HAVE A COLLISION FROM CAR THAT IS BEHIND.TOOK TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.ONE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT SEE ME FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS. CALLED VW HEADQUARTERS TO GET ME IN SOONER. THE TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION POINT WAS ALSO ON. THE KEY LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING, STATING THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE, CAR TURNED OFF. SUNROOF WAS LEAKING--HAVE A VIDEO REMOTE KEYS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. START UP HAS ISSUES, DOORS LOCK WHEN I AM CLOSE TO THE CAR FOR NO REASON, DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE UNTIL I TURN ON THE CAR, THE REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT TIMES- HAVE A VIDEO, IF KEYS ARE IN POCKET, DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK EASILY(WAS TOLD I HAVE TO HOLD THE HANDLE CORRECTLY OR IT WILL NOT OPEN) THE SIDE ALERT SYSTEM GOES OFF ALL THE TIME WHEN NOTHING IS THERE. FRONT WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN -ON RECEIPT THEY STATED THEY FOUND WINDOWS WERE FINE. ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR WAS BURNED OUT, BUT THEY DID NOT WRITE THAT IN THE REPORT. STEERING ISSUES WHERE THE CAR WAS MOVING RIGHT TO LEFT AND VERY LOOSE. *TR

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. HAS MULTIPLE GAS LEAKS AND DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE GAS TANK AND LINES.

THE AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATS ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY BRAKED AND IVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NO CARS, DEBRIS, HAZARDS, OR ANYTHING WERE IN FRONT OF ME THAT SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE AUTOMATIC COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM. IT IS SO SUDDEN THAT IT LEFT MY NECK AND SHOULDERS (SEAT BELT AREA) VERY SORE. THE AUTOMATIC COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE BUT NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM BUT EVERYTIME THEY SAY THERE ARE NO ERRRORS REPORTED ON THEIR COMPUTER AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG MANY VW OWNERS AND VW KNOWS TOO BUT DOESN'T ADDRESS IT.

AUTOMATIC BRAKING STOPS CAR WHEN EXITING PARKING LOT ONTO MAIN ROAD, COULD NOT PULL STRAIGHT OUT OF PARKING LOT. EMERGENCY BRAKING DEPLOYED 3 TIMES. ON COMING TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNIT I TURNED SYSTEM OFF. MULTIPLE CARS WERE BEHIND ME AND COULD NOT BACK UP ENOUGH TO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC. NO OBSTRUCTIONS WHERE IN FRONT OF ME JUST SLIGHTLY STEEPER ANGLE EXITING PARKING LOT.

EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING TOWARDS AN OPEN PARKING SPACE. NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DEPLOYING. THIS LEFT THE VEHICLE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF PARKING LANE AND COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY CROSS TRAFFIC.

THE CAR VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH OR HIGHER. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE VIBRATION AND REPLACED THE TIRES 3 TIMES BUT THE CAR IS STILL VIBRATING. THE CORPORATE OFFICES OF VW HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BUT THEY WERE NO HELP. *TR

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the windows would engage independently and roll down. The contact was unable to roll the windows up. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags) and the VIN was included. The dealer replaced the doors control module and the front door wiring harness; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated while driving with or without cruise control activated, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system would engage inadvertently. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the vehicle stopped independently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and resumed normal driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags); however, the remedy repair failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

ENGINE LIGHT IS ON... INTERIOR SMELLS LIKE GAS AND GAS GAGE IS SHOWING LOW LEVEL VERY FAST.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD GOING 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLAM ON ITS BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPING. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO OCCUR (E.G. SOUND OR DASHBOARD ALERT). FURTHER THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, NO PEDESTRIANS, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FRONT COLLISION AUTOMATIC BRAKING TO ENGAGE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME OR THEY WOULD HAVE SURELY CRASHED INTO ME.

GRINDING AND SQUEALING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP TO GO AS IT LAST FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS EACH TIME. MANY ATLAS'S HAVE THIS ISSUE BASED ON THE FORUMS AND VW STATES THAT IS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE WHICH IS RIDICULOUS TO HEAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE CONCERN IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

VEHICLE AUTO LOCKS WITH RFID KEYS IN THE CAR WHICH LOCKED CHILD IN THE CAR. DRIVER ENTERED VEHICLE USING RFID KEY FOB (USING TOUCH SENSOR ON DOOR), PLACED 1.5 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE 2D ROW SEAT INTO AN APPROVED 5PT CAR SEAT AND SHUT THE DOOR. DRIVER PLACED PURSE WITH KEY FOB INTO PASSENGER SEAT AND SHUT THE DOOR. WALKED AROUND TO PLACE OLDER CHILD INTO DRIVER SIDE 2D ROW SEAT THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED DUE TO A 45 SECOND TIMEOUT FEATURE. THE KEYS AND CHILD WERE LOCKED INTO THE CAR REQUIRING FIRST RESPONDERS TO BREAK THE DRIVER'S WINDOW TO UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. THE ALARM SOUNDED UPON BREAKING THE GLASS, AND WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DRIVER DOOR WAS PRESSED, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE KEY FOB WAS RETRIEVED TO SILENCE THE ALARM. THE CHILD WAS IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 20 MINUTES IN A CA DESERT. THIS OCCURRED ON AN AIR FORCE BASE, WHERE FIRST RESPONDERS LOGGED AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT.

AUTOMATIC COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES IN SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BRAKING WHEN THERE IS NO OBSTACLE (OR CARS) NEAR VEHICLE. AUTOMATIC BRAKES HAVE STOPPED CAR TO A HALT WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING ON OR TURNING ON SLIGHT SLOPE CITY STREET THAT LEVELS OUT TO THE ROAD. THE SUDDEN BRAKING HAS ALMOST CAUSED COLLISIONS AS VEHICLE STOPS FOR NO REASON WITHOUT WARNING IN MIDDLE OF STREET/TRAFFIC. VERY CONCERNED AS NO WAY TO TURN OFF SYSTEM AND AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STOP AUTOMATICALLY FOR NO REASON IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC OR ON BRIDGE WHERE ANGLE OF ROAD/BRIDGE MAY SLOPE. THE SUDDEN BRAKING HAS OCCURRED TWICE THIS WEEK AT LOCATION I HAVE TO DRIVE TO EVERY DAY AND CANNOT BYPASS.

THIS IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE AND I'M WORRIED POWERTRAIN DAMAGE IS OCCURRING. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEED THERE IS A VERY LOUD SCREENING / GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE POWERTRAIN / TRANSMISSION - POSSIBLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND IS IS VERY NOTICEABLE, USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE OR INCREASES ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEED THEN IT USUALLY GOES AWAY. I DESCRIBED THE TO TWO VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND BOTH SAID "THEY HADN'T HEARD OF THAT ONE." I WAS IN FOR OTHER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE SOUND, HOWEVER IT SCREECHED WHEN LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP! THE VW ATLAS FORUMS HAVE MANY POSTS ON THIS ISSUE. AND LOTS OF FOLKS LIKE MYSELF ARE NOT GETTING ANY INFORMATION AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. I DID NOT GET ANY MEANINGFUL HELP FROM VW OR THEIR DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. I AM ALSO WORRIED THIS IS CAUSING ISSUES OR DAMAGE AND IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED OR ADDRESSED BY VW AND THEIR AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINED ROAD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM BEEPED WHILE ERRONEOUSLY SENSING SOMETHING WAS AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE BACK-UP CAMERA DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DISPLAY THE PERSON WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE PERSON WAS NOT DISPLAYED ON THE CAMERA UNTIL THEY WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. NORM REEVES VOLKSWAGEN (20 AUTO CENTER DR, IRVIN, CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

THE GAS CONSUMPTION IS BELOW WHAT VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS AND ADVERTISES. OUR CAR AVERAGES 14 MPG INSTEAD OF 19 MPG. ON USER FORUMS, OTHER ATLAS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT AVERAGING 14 MPG. WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS WHILE DRIVING. SINCE WE GOT THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AN EVAP LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED" IT. HOWEVER, SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON.

This is a safety issue where this can be dangerous for drivers like myself and their families life, and others life at risk. This reporting is to prevent and avert future accidents. Headlights brightness in 2019-2020 Atlas Se with Tec is very poor. Due to dull brightness (Low Beam) night driving is very exhaustive and need to very extreme alert state. This causes strain eyes and causes fatigue during long drive. Lights are so dull when an oncoming very old cars with halogens lights passes by, led lights in Atlas fades away from road. Usually leds lights are suppose to have more brightness and good lumen rating. When it is raining and after road is wet one cannot properly see lights on the road. One time narrowly escaped (thanks to extreme cautious) from hitting a pedestrian who was walking in a pitched dark road(right side) at night. Right side illumination was dim that is why couldn't see the person from a distance. In 2021 Atlas, VW made such a brightness improvements that it projects some glare for oncoming traffic. For reference youtube video link is attached. Video at 0:12 - 0:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ-Ml5BRvgA To validate my finding I have attached two links from reputable source who inspected headlights: IIHS.ORG (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In their findings 2019 Atlas Se with Tec has poor rating whereas 2021 Atlas Se with Tec has Medium rating. 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2019 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2021 Below I have attached few links from 2019-2020 Atlas competitors who were also analyzed by IIHS>ORG. They all received acceptable and good ratings: 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Hyundai/palisade-4-door-suv/2020 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Mazda/cx-9-4-door-suv/2019 3. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019 4. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Honda/pilot-4-door-suv/2019

VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY FRONT FACING CAMERA THAT HAS OR HAD A DATA ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP WITHOUT WARNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOM WOOD VOLKSWAGEN WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, AND SAID IT HAD HAPPENED SOME PLACE ELSE AS WELL. THIS WILL EASILY CAUSE REAR IMPACT CRASHES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING.

ROUGH JUMPING SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. VW STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX AT THIS TIME AND THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE ATLAS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BASED ON HOW THE VEHICLE PERFORMS ON THE ROAD FROM STOP TO GO.

UPON ACCELERATING MY 2019 VW ATLAS DOWN AN EMPTY STREET BETWEEN 10 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR THE AUTONAMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP JOLTING US FORWARD. IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED THAT MY HANDS SLIPPED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LANDED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE HALT CAME WITH A VERY LOUD NOISE. AS I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN AND VW CORPORATE OFFICE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER, THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS, OBSTACLES, ETC. ON THE ROADWAY. THE DAY WAS SUNNY AND THE GRILL EMBLEM THAT HOUSES THE SYSTEM SENSOR WAS UNOBSTRUCTED AND CLEAN. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VEHICLE BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT "THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE" AND PER CORPORATE ENGINEERS THE SENSOR IS WORKING PER SPECIFICATIONS AND NO FAULT CODES WERE FOUND WITH THE SENSOR. IMAGINE RECEIVING THIS EXPLANATION AFTER THAT SCARY INCIDENT HAPPENS TO YOU OUT OF NO WHERE. NOW I CAN'T GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THINKING WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. TOO HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN SEEKING A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. MY THOUGHT IS THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR'S SOFTWARE CODE AND VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION. PLEASE I ASK THAT THIS ISSUE BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL BE ISSUED. THE INTERNET HAS INFO ON OTHER OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN CALIFORNIA AGAINST VW FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THANK YOU. *JS

FROM THE PARKING LOT OF A LARGE SHOPPING CENTER WE TRIED TO TURN ONTO THE MAIN ROAD. WE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE, WENT A FEW FEET AND THEN THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES ITSELF WHEN WE WERE ABOUT HALFWAY INTO THE LANE. WE THEN HAD TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR A FEW TIMES AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND STARTED MOVING AGAIN. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS COMING IN THAT LLANE AS WE WERE STOPPED HALFWAY IN IT. THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY AND THEN IT ALSO HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY.

1) RADAR AUTO-BRAKE: WHEN PARALLEL PARKING AND BACKING ( GOING IN REVERSE ) PARALLEL TO THE CURB, AT MAYBE 2 MPH AND 10 INCHES FROM CURB, I GOT YELLOW STOP, STOP !!!!!!! MESSAGE FOLLOWED BY SENSATION OF HITTING AN OBJECT AND BEING THROWN INTO THE SEAT. ONLY THERE WAS NO OBJECT. RAN OUT OF A CAR, NOTHING AND NOBODY THERE, AT LEAST FOR 50 YARDS. AN AUTO-BRAKE ENGAGED. THAT IS REALLY BROKEN. INTERFERENCE CAUSED IT TO DO THAT ? OVERHEATED COMPUTER IN 90 DEGREE SUN ? 2) TRANSMISSION LOGIC: UNRELATED TO ABOVE, WHEN GOING IN SLOW TRAFFIC 2-10 MPH, PRESSING GAS SHIFTS TRANSMISSION INTO HIGHER GEAR INSTEAD OF LOWER, RESULTING IN HIT-LIKE ENGAGEMENT AND ACTUAL INABILITY TO REV THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATE. SLOW AND DEEP PEDAL MOVEMENT DOES DOWNSHIFT AND ACCELERATE BUT TOO MUCH. ALL CARS ARE LIKE THAT AND I TEST DROVE SEVERAL. 3) TRANSMISSION LOGIC: RELATED TO (2) ABOVE, PARADOXICALLY IN SPORT DRIVING MODE, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND MERGE HIGHWAY FROM 10 MPH, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED UP SEVERAL GEARS, NOT ALLOWING TO REV THE ENGINE, AND RESULTED IN RPM DECAY /POWER LOSS -- VERY SCARY. THAT LAUNCH WAS TIMELY ABORTED, AND DRIVER LATER MERGED THE ROAD IN MANUAL "TIPTRONIC" MODE. 4) IMPROPER GAS PEDAL CALIBRATION: COMPARED TO OTHER GERMAN, JAPANESE AND AMERICAN CARS, VW ATLAS HAS ABNORMAL AND UNSAFE GAS PEDAL CALIBRATION. FROM A STOP, ONLY LIGHTLY FEATHERING THE PEDAL RESULTS IN CIVILIZED CONTROLLED MOTION. NORMAL GAS PEDAL PRESSURE RESULTS IN A CAR ROCKETING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. VW HAS TO TALK TO SOME OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND GET THEIR GAS CALIBRATION CONSISTENT WITH OTHER CARS, SO IT CAN BE DRIVEN STEADY AND SAFELY AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN NECESSARY.

YOU HEAR WOSSHING SOUND WHEN YOU START SLOW ACCELERATION FROM ALMOST STOP, NOT COMPLETELY STOP, LIKE 5MPH. IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE ISSUE IS THAT VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR, STAYS IN 3RD WHEN IT'S AROUND 5MPH. THIS LOAD IS CAUSING TORQUE CONVERTER AND PUMP TO WORK HARDER TO GET VEHICLE ROLLING. I BELIEVE IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE SINCE IT ONLY HAPPENS IN 3RD GEAR AROUND 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. FOR ME, I HEAR IT THE MOST WHEN I AM ACCELERATING AFTER COMING TO A "STOP". ONCE I HEAR THE NOISE, I FLIP THE CAR INTO MANUAL MODE AND IT IS ALWAYS IN 3RD GEAR. ALTHOUGH YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALMOST STOPPED, THE CAR IS STILL IN 3RD GEAR. DO THE SAME "STOP" WHILE IN MANUAL MODE AND DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND, AND THERE ISN'T A NOISE. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP TRIED OTHER NEW ATLAS' ON THE LOT AND FOUND SAME ISSUES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. HONESTLY, MY NOISE SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND LOUDER EACH DAY.

ON THE TENTH DAY OF OWNING OUR BRAND NEW VEHICLE, WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 74 AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND IN THE LOW 90S. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND THE FRONT PANEL OF OUR PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE SHADE WAS OPEN AND THE TEMPERED GLASS FELL ON OUR ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING TWO CHILDREN AGED 7 AND 4. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM AN OUTSIDE OBJECT. THE INITIAL PICTURE SHOWS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE FROM INSIDE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS OCCURRED. WE CLOSED THE SUNSHADE TO STOP GLASS FROM FALLING INTO THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE COULD GET TO A SAFE SPOT. THE TWO PICTURES FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE ARE AFTER THE SUNSHADE WAS CLOSED. THE FINAL PICTURE SHOWS GLASS INSIDE THE VEHICLE NEXT TO MY SON'S FEET.

THE CAR IS 6 MONTHS OLD. WE HAVE 5 DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE VEHICLE STOPPING/BRAKING ON IT'S OWN FOR NO REASON. THE DEALER AND VW CORPORATE DO NOT HAVE A FIX AND SUGGESTED WE KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET MORE DOCUMENTED OCCURRENCES. THE VEHICLE POSES AN EXTREME SAFETY RISK AT THIS TIME DUE TO FAULTY BRAKING ASSIST MECHANISMS. 2 OF THE 5 OCCURRENCES INVOLVED IT THROWING THE PARKING BRAKE ON BY ITSELF AND THE OTHER 3 WERE DRASTIC SLOW DOWNS WITH NOTHING AROUND. ALL INCIDENTS REPORTS ARE ATTACHED AND ARE EXACTLY WHAT WAS TURNED INTO THE DEALER AND VW CORPORATE.

AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSES CAR TO BRAKE WHEN EXITING A DRIVEWAY. ALERTS TO THE ROAD AS AN OBSTACLE WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE SYSTEM READS ROAD AS AN OBSTACLE, LIKE A PERSON OR CAR. BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSES CAR TO BRAKE LEAVING DRIVEWAYS. CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE CUTS OFF WITH CAR IN TRAFFIC - ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE BRAKE MANUEVERING SYSTEM - READS ROAD AS A HAZARD CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE BRAKES. BRAKES ARE APPLIED SUDDENLY AND THE FORCE IS AS IF I AM BEING HIT AT A HIGH SPEED FROM BEHIND. THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT HAPPENED. TAKES 15-20 SECONDS TO RESTART THE CAR, DURING WHICH TIME I 'M IN TRAFFIC OR HALF IN TRAFFIC AND HALF IN THE DRIVEWAY SUBJECT TO GREAT BODILY HARM FROM OTHER CARS THOSE THAT DO NOT EXPECT ME TO BE STOPPED THERE OR FROM CARS BEHIND ME THIS PLACES ME, MY FAMILY, PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS AT GREAT RISK OF HARM. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND AT NUMEROUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED BEING HIT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS EXCEPT TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM WHICH ALSO TURNS OFF THE SYSTEM SHOULD A HAZARD APPEAR BEFORE MY VEHICLE. I WAS REQUIRED TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM MYSELF BECAUSE VW HAS STATED IT IS A LIABILITY FOR THEM TO TURN IT OFF. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT IT HAS HAPPENED CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. VW HAS TOLD ME THAT THE SYSTEM CANNOT DIFFERENTIATE AND TO ENSURE THE BRAKING DOES NOT GO ON (ALTHOUGH IT WILL STILL BEEP AND ALERT) I MUST EXIT ALL DRIVEWAYS NO FASTER THAN 3 MPH. WHEN EXITING INTO HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS, SUCH AS WHERE I LIVE THIS WILL PLACE ME AT GRAVE DANGER.

2019 VW VOLKSWAGEN SEL-P WITH 1600 MILES. STARTED THE CAR TO COME HOME FROM THE PARK 2 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND HALFWAY HOME THE CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT, HAD VERY LIMITED POWER, EPC LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND A FUEL SMELL. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE FUEL SMELL WAS VERY STRONG. SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT WHILE SOMEONE WAS LOOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY SEEN THAT A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS DUMPING FROM THE FUEL RAIL/INJECTOR AREA AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. RAW GAS WAS ALSO SEEN DRIPPING ONTO GROUND. FUEL IS ONLY DUMPING WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND RUNNING. LUCKILY DRIVE WAS A SHORT DISTANCE OR IT IS VERY LIKELY IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL LEAK.

ONE WEEK AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, IT BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE DURING THE FOLLOWING SCENARIOS: ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED / TAKING OFF FROM A STOP / AFTER VEHICLE TURNED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND ON FIRST ATTEMPT. VEHICLE HAS AGAIN BEEN DROPPED OFF AT DEALER AS GRINDING NOISE CONTINUES AND GETS LOUDER AT TIMES. HAVE SEARCHED IN DIFFERENT FORUMS AND SOME STATE THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING PROPERLY PROGRAMMED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 2ND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. INSTEAD IT SKIPS 2ND GEAR (NOT A PROFESSIONAL OPINION AS I AM JUST QUOTING WHAT I'VE READ). SOME HAVE STATED IT COULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. STILL NO SOLUTION.

WHEN MOVING AND UNDER A LOAD AT LOWER RPMS THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS GRINDING. HAVE BROUGHT THIS IN TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR VW ATLAS VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL AND DO NOT TRUST THIS ANSWER FROM VW ESPECIALLY AFTER WE WERE LIED TO ABOUT THE DIESEL EMISSIONS PROBLEM. I AM WORRIED THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY AND MAY GIVE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WERE TO BE STRANDED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WOULD HELP ME BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND BEING STRANDED COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.

A SCANDALOUS SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA JUST BELOW IS PLAYED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AFTER HAVING SLOWED DOWN WHEN I AM ARRIVING AT A STOP OR I AM IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND AND THE SOUND IS PRESENTED. THIS SITUATION IS ALSO PRESENTED WHEN I CLIMB A SLOPE. TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRM THAT THE SOUND COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL IN THIS TYPE OF CAR. WHICH IS MEANINGLESS IN MY OPINION

CAR BRAKES BY ITSELF THINKING THERE IS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS OK DONT FOLLOW TO CLOSE. THEY SEEM TO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF OUR CAR. THIS COULD BE A PRETTY BAD SITUATION IF THE VEHICLE DESIDES TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITH A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SAFETY FEATURE ENGAGED WHEN DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE SAFETY FEATURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AREA EMITTED A BEEPING AND GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK, THEN REVERSE, AND THEN RESTART THE ENGINE TO REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH LARRY H. MILLER VOLKSWAGEN (10205 WEST PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (480) 865-3991) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AND THE SAFETY FEATURE ENGAGED WHEN IT SENSED AN INCLINE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANEUVER BRAKING SYSTEM COULD BE DISENGAGED TO STOP THE INCLINE DETECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

BOUGHT MY ATLAS ON 3/24/19, A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT THE LOW COOLANT WARNING LIGHT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOPPED IT OFF AND SAID, "OH THEY COME TO THE DEALER SOMETIMES A LITTLE LOW." NOT SURE WHY THEY DON'T CHECK WHEN PREPPING THE CAR FOR DELIVERY. ON 4/3, LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 4/4, NO VISIBLE LEAK UNDERNEATH OR BY THE TANK. A POSSIBLE LEAK WAS FOUND BEHIND THE ENGINE NEAR THE FIREWALL, I CAN SEE SOME PINK POOLING ON SOMETHING SILVER (ENGINE OR TRANS WHATEVER IT IS). THEY DETERMINED THAT THE COOLANT HOSE HAS FAILED AND CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT ISSUE BEFORE. THEY ORDERED THE WRONG PARTS AND COULDN'T FIT. THEY ARE ORDERING MORE PARTS AND IT COULD BE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE I GET IT BACK. I HAVE ALSO ENGAGED VW OF AMERICA. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A NEW CAR YET ALONE THE DEALER TAKE SO LONG TO FIX IT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 400 MILES ON IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANKS.

MY BATTERY DIED WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF BRAKES OR WHEEL

AIR BAG ERROR LIGHT SHOWED UP WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR, UNDER 3,000 MILES ON CAR CAR WAS DRIVEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AND DRIVER REPORTED AIR BAG ERROR LIGHT FLASHING AND THEN REMAINED STEADY ON.

WATER COLLECTING ON FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. A/C DRIP LINE PINCHED OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY IS THOUGHT TO BE RESPONSIBLE

WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A SLOW STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE MIDDLE ROW RIGHT SIDE SEAT DISENGAGED WHILE CHILD AND CAR SEAT IN THE SEAT AND FLUNG FORWARDED AND INTO THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.

DEFECT IN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. ALSO, INCORRECTLY CODED DATA CONTAINER WHICH FAILS TO PROVIDE AUDIBLE WARNING WHEN THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR WHICH INCREASES RISK OF VEHICLE THEFT.